James L. Sackett, farmer, P. O. Elco. Isaac Sacket, the grandfather of our subject, was born in England and came to this country some time before the Revolutionary War. He settled in Connecticut, and was a soldier in that war. In the same state, Isaac Sacket, Jr., the father of James L., was born in 1808, lived there until he reached manhood, and then married in 1827 Sophronia Richards, daughter of Charles Richards, whose forefathers were also of English descent. She was the mother of ten children, and of that number subject was the youngest, and was born December 20, 1831. When he was about nine years of age, his parents moved with him to Illinois and settled in Marine, Madison County. Subject received his education partially in the schools of Connecticut and also in the schools of Illinois. When about fifteen years old he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, and followed that vocation until about nineteen. At that age he undertook business for himself and commenced contracting for jobs. This vocation he followed for about six years, working at it in St. Louis, also in Monroe and St. Clair Counties. In 1860 he came to Alexander County, and first settled on Sandy Creek, but only remained there about three years, and then came to his present location in 1863. He first purchased a farm of fifty acres, and now owns abut 118 acres in Sections 18 and 19, Township 14, Range 1 west. He was married March 24, 1858 in Belleville, Ill., to Eliza Anson, daughter of Fred and Lucinda Anson. She is the mother of ten children, seven of whom are now living--Rosala, Montie, George R., Minnie, Clara, Mattie and Louis. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, Col. Bronson, Company F, Capt. Johnson, February 12, 1865 and was discharged May 29, 1865 on account of disability. In politics Mr. Sacket is a Republican.
(NOTE by Kari Roehl: J. L. Sackett died Jan. 1, 1899 and Eliza J. was born Oct. 8, 1838 and died May 3, 1929. Both are buried in the Hazelwood Cemetery, Alexander Co. Of their children also buried in Hazelwood Cemetery, Montie was born Sept. 16, 1866 and died Feb. 11, 1893; George R. was born Dec. 8, 1878 and died Mar. 17, 1918; and Mattie Jewell's stone reads, "ROSS, Mattie Jewell (Nee Sackett), The only lady R. R. telegrapher to operate a manuel interlocking plant." Mattie d. Jan. 15, 1919--Source: IL Statewide Death Index).
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1850 US Census, Eagle Precinct, Monroe, IL
James L. Sackett, 18, m laborer
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1860 Census, Illinois, Alexander, Clear Creek
Louis Sackett 29
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1870 Census: Hazelwood Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois
Page No. 242; 25 July, 1870; Post Office: Dongola
45/45
Sackett, J. L. 36, M, W, Farmer, $1,000, $300, Connecticut
Sackett, Elizah J., 30, F, W, ---, Illinois
Sackett, Ellenora, 10, F, W, ---, Illinois
Sackett, Rosetta, 8, F, W, ---, Illinois
Sackett, Montie, 4, F[sic], W, ---, Illinois
Sackett, Minnie, 2, F, W, ---, Illinois
Sackett, Alice, 8/12, F, W, ---, Illinois
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1880 Census: Elco, Alexander, Illinois
Family History Library Film: 1254175
NA Film Number: T9-0175
Page Number: 154C
James L. SACKETS, Self, M, Male, W, 48, CT, Farmer, CT, CT
Eliza J. SACKETS, Wife, M, Female, W, 40, IL, Keeping House, CT, IL
Rosale SACKETS, Dau, S, Female, W, 18, IL, At Home, CT, IL
Montie SACKETS, Son, , Male, W, 14, IL, At Home, CT, IL
Minnie SACKETS, Dau, S, Female, W, 11, IL, At Home, CT, IL
Richard SACKETS, Son, S, Male, W, 7, IL, At Home, CT, IL
Clara SACKETS, Dau, S, Female, W, 6, IL, At Home, CT, IL
Lewis SACKETS, Son, S, Male, W, 3, IL, At Home, CT, IL
Mettie J. SACKETS, Dau, S, Female, W, 11M, IL, At Home, CT, IL

James L. Sackett died at his home at Elco Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, as the result of a stroke of paralysis. Saturday evening he went out to feed his stock and when he did not return to the house after a considerable lapse of time, his wife went out in search of him and found him lying helpless upon the ground, and the hogs rooting him around. He was carried to the house but medical assistance could not bring him around, and he died as above stated. So far as we can learn he had never had a stroke of paralysis before.

James L. Sackett was the youngest of ten children. He was born December 30, 1831, in Connecticut. His grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He removed to Illinois with his parents in 1840, settling in Madison County, and in 1860 he came to Alexander County, settling first on Sandy creek but removing to Elco three years later.

He served in the War of the Rebellion for a short time, but was discharged on account of disability on May 29, 1865.

In 1858 he was married at Belleville to Miss Eliza Ansen and they had ten children of whom six are still living--Mrs. Paul Loeschner, Miss Minnie Sackett, of Chicago; Richard Sackett, telegraph operator at Elco; Louis Sackett, who is a telegraph operator in Kansas, and Misses Clara and Mattie Sackett who live at home.

Mr. Sackett was a staunch republican and a familiar figure in all county conventions. At his death he was school trustee, a position which he held for fifteen or twenty years. He was one of the best citizens of the county, and his untimely death is not only a great shock to his friends but a heavy loss to the community.

From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, January 5, 1899, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Mr. Sackett is buried in the Hazlewood Cemetery between Elco and Tamms.)